Purpose plush toys to help with anxiety.
ZURU has revealed its latest plush toy, Hug-a-Lumps in South Africa – eight adorable weighted plush characters weighing 1.5 kilograms each with a super soft velour plush.
As one of the world’s largest award-winning toy manufacturers, ZURU in recent years has capitalised on the growing trend of plush toys with its Rainbocorn, Pets Alive and Snackle plush toys with the latest extension Hug-a-Lumps expected to capture both kid and adult markets for its mental health benefits.
“Weighted plush popularity has soared globally and is fast climbing to the same levels as weighted blankets due to several reasons but mainly because there has been extensive research on the benefits,” says Glenn Ambrose, Country Manager at ZURU. “ZURU currently offers the most unique plushies globally and Hug-a-Lumps is no exception.”
Ambrose explains: “Innovation is at the core of what we do and our team noticed an increasing do-it-yourself trend where consumers have been creating their very own weighted plush toys, it was with this in mind that our product development team set-out to create a cute and effective toy that would appeal to both kids and adults.”
He notes that the plush category remains at steady growth with the market size expected to expand at CAGR of 4.51%.
“The Hug-a-Lumps large plushies provide an emotional connection of a plush with the calming effect of a big hug but are also cute, super soft and a lot of fun to play with,” he says. “The Hug-a-Lumps weighted plush stimulates stress and anxiety while stimulating relaxation, provides emotional support, reduces cortisol with an increase in dopamine and aids in focus and concentration.”
In addition, he adds that Hug-a-Lumps can be a powerful ally in helping children navigate the complexities of their emotions. “By providing comfort, a sense of security, and a safe outlet for expressing worries, the Hug-a-Lumps companions can play a crucial role in reducing anxiety and fostering emotional resilience.”
“With today’s fast-paced world and exposure to new challenges, plush toys have been proven to help alleviate a child’s anxiety,” he adds. “These soft, comforting companions offer more than just a cuddly presence—they can serve as powerful tools to help children manage their emotions.”
Ambrose says that weighted plush toys can help with anxiety as the gentle pressure provided by the heaviness of these toys offers a calming effect, similar to the sensation of being hugged or swaddled. “This pressure has been reported to promote relaxation and feelings of anxiety or stress,” he says.
He points out that weighted plush toys can assist in regulating sensory experiences, providing a calming effect that soothes the nervous system. In addition, these ‘toys’ have the added benefit to aid in better sleep by triggering deep touch pressure.
“Recent studies have shown that when a child hugs their plush toy, they experience the same sensation as hugging a parent. These hugs release dopamine and serotonin which in turn releases oxytocin, the hormone associated with bonding and stress relief,” he explains. “These self-soothing techniques provide a physiological response that aids in a child feeling calmer and more secure.”
Hug-a-Lumps are not just for kids though. “Weighted toys leverage the principles of deep pressure therapy, a technique that has been found to have calming effects on the nervous system, stimulating calm and relaxation and have the added benefit to aid in better sleep by triggering deep touch pressure,” Ambrose concludes.
The range is now available for order in South Africa, contact Glenn Ambrose: [email protected].
